Adesida was tapped to be the next provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs earlier this spring, succeeding interim Provost Richard Wheeler, who has held the job for more than two years.

"I am confident that the legacy of exceptional research and education at the College of Engineering will continue under Mike's leadership," Adesida said in a release. "It has been an honor to work closely with him in the pursuit of excellence that the University of Illinois is known for. He has the experience and skills needed to guide the college during this transition."

Bragg completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at the UI before earning his doctorate at Ohio State University in 1981.

He returned to the UI in 1990 as a faculty member, focusing his research and teaching on aerodynamics and flight mechanics. He is an internationally known expert on ice accretion on aircraft and its effect on flight safety. He was named the head of the Aerospace Engineering Department In 1999.

Bragg was named associate dean for research and administrative affairs of the college in 2006 and then executive associate dean for academic and faculty affairs two years later.

In his current post, Bragg oversees faculty members and academic personnel and manages the budget and resources of the college, the second largest on campus. He is also active in the college's diversity activities and global initiatives, officials said.

"Mike Bragg's experience and commitment situate him perfectly to step in and provide superb leadership for the College of Engineering next year," Wheeler said in the release.

Wheeler was appointed when then-interim Provost Robert Easter was asked to be interim chancellor following Richard Herman's resignation as chancellor. Easter had replaced Linda Katehi, who left in 2009 to become chancellor of the University of California-Davis.